Gilbert: Five of the six districts in play Tuesday are clearly GOP-leaning in their makeup. That's no surprise. These are all Senate seats held by Republicans in a terrible GOP year (2008). The GOP advantage isn't huge. It's not big enough to make these districts "safe" for Republicans. But it's real.

Win or lose, that is the proper context for these races. Two is a victory, three shakes the earth.

"But Democrats are running “uphill” in five of the six elections Tuesday, trying to capture districts that are more Republican than the state as a whole in their partisan makeup. In order to overcome that disadvantage, they have to win the turnout battle, carry independents or both."

And that, my friends, is the money quote. So, if Illy-T is correct when he stated earlier that there are few people sitting on the fence in the recalls, then those less than vulnerable Republican incumbents, unfortunately, will more than likely hold serve. My hope, and I'm sorry to say is but a faint pulse (just trying to be realistic), is that those independents who voted Walker will take out their frustrations on his minions, I mean, supporters.

I remain mindful of the surge liberal voters demonstrated for Kloppenburg between February and April in several of the most conservative districts in the State, where her support increased by up to 15%. It wasn't isolated cases either; there were a whole load of counties involved. I've never seen anyone else mention that trend, yet it's pretty damn significant. If it can be extended only marginally today, the Dems can pull it off.

We all have our hopes set on the Democrats winning. Walker and the Republicans can no longer claim that they've been given a clear mandate and they know they are no longer safe regardless of the the outcome, That in itself is worth it's weight in gold.